Manifolding device for writing machines



April 21, 193 1. FLEMING 1,801,493

MANIFOLDING DEVICE FOR WRITING MACHINES Filed Sept. 23, 1927 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEY April 21, 1931.' J. s. FLEMINGMANIFOLDING DEVICE FOR WRITING MACHINES Filed Sept. 23, 1927 2Sheets-Sheet 2 i E X R O T N E V W ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 21, 1931UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN STUART FLEMING, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO,CANADA, ASSIGNOIt, BY MESNE AS- SIGNMENTS, TO NIAGARA FOLD, INC.,NIAGARA FALLS, NEW=YORK, A CORPORA- TION OF NEW YORK MANIFOLDING DEVICEFOR WRITING MACHINES Application filed September 23, 1927. Serial No.221,431.

This invention relates to improvements in manifolding devices and moreparticularly wlth reference to some of its specific features, it relatesto improvements in a form of transfer or carbon sheet carrier adapted tobe provide an improved transfer or carbon sheet carrier which is adaptedfor use in various forms of manifolding writing, and 1s so con structedthat it may be carried by the super-- posed record strips to support thetransfer sheets therebetween in manifolding position, and may be shiftedfrom one manifolding position to another by sliding it longitudinallyrelatively to the transfer sheets.

A further object of the invention, is to provide an improved carbon ortransfer sheet carrier adapted for use in flat or cylindrical platentypes of manifolding machines such as typewriters, billing machines,autographic registers, and the like, and which is so constructed andarranged that it, together with the transfer sheet or sheets carriedthereby, may be fed forwardly with the record strips past the platen ofthe manifolding machine so as to release them from frictional restraintwhereby the transfer sheets may be adjusted along the record strips fromone transfer position to another. I

A, further object is to provide an improved transfer sheet carrier whichis flexible transversely of its length enabling it to conform to acurved path such as the surface of a cylindrical platen, while at thesame time providing a satisfactory support for holding one or aplurality of carbon sheets in manifolding relation with reference to thesuperposed record strips. 1

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved form ofwriting or supply pad for manifold inscription having a plurality ofsuperposed traveler record strips and. embodyin in combination, animproved arrangement %or supporting one or a plurality. of transfersheets in shiftable manifolding relation with reference to the recordstrips.

A further object is to provide, in combination with a plurality ofsuperposed traveler record strips, an improved form of carbon block ortransfer sheet carrier adapted to support one or more transfer sheets inmanifolding relation and having means for shifting the carrier from onemanifolding position to another and so mounted with reference to therecord stripsas to be moved forwardly therewith and thereby.

Other objects will be in part pointed out in connection with thefollowing detailed disclosure of certain illustrative but preferredembodiments of the invention, and will be in part obvious in connectiontherewith.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a more complete disclosure of the nature, objects and advantages ofthe invention, reference is had to the accompanying detailed disclosureand to the drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a carbon or transfer sheet carrier constructedin accordance with the invention, and bein detached from the record stris with whic it is adapted to be assembled or manifolding purposes.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detailed plan with parts broken away tofacilitate disclosure.

Fig. 4 is a perspective diagrammatic view showing the improvedmanifolding 'device with the transfer sheet carrier in operativeposition with reference to the record sheets or strips.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of transfer sheetcarrier.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan similar to Fig. 3 but showing a furthermodified form of the carrier, and,

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional perspective of the form of carriershown in Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings for a detailed description of the embodimentsof the invention there shown, and first to the embodi ment of Figs. 1 to4 inclusive, one of the improved transfer sheet carriers 10 is shown inFig. 4, in combination with a plurality of superposed traveler recordstrips S folded zigzag into the form of a tablet or supply pack or padS. This pad may be utilized as a. supply for various types ofmanifolding machines such as typewriters, billing machines, autographicregisters, etc., the free ends of the superposed record strips being ledforwardly so as-to rest against a writing bed or platen in a manner wellknown in the art. The carbon or transfer sheets C are interleaved inmanifolding relation with the strips S and attached to the carrier 10which is positioned and arranged to support the transfer sheets inextended posi tion and to move forwardly and backwardly with the recordstrips as the latter are fed for line spacing in the machine, or forother purposes.

The structural details of the transfer sheet carrier 10 are clearlydisclosed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, said carrier preferably being made ofsheet material and being flexible transversely of its length so as toconform to a curved path such as the surface of a cylindrical platen.The carrier 10 may, for example, be made of heavy brown or manila paperso as to be flexible in any direction, but of sufficient weight andstrength to function as a support for the relatively lighter and morefragile carbon paper sheets C attached to it, or it may be made of othersimilar light flexible material such as textile fabric or light fiberboard, and it may be and preferably is more flexible transversely of itslength than it is longitudinally thereof. The carrier 10, however, willbe of sufficient stiffness and strength longitudinally to support thetransfer sheets in smooth flat manifolding position between the recordstrips and also of sufficient strength to enable it to function as ashifter to move the transfer sheets from one manifolding position toanother between the record strips.

As shown, the flexible sheet is bent or folded into V-shape, one branchor side 11 being provided with a series of parallel longitudinallyextending spaced slits 13 for receiving therethrough the record strips Sand providing parallel attaching strips or bars 14 to which the ends ofthe transfer sheets C are attached as by an adhesive. The attaching endsof the transfer sheets also pass through the slits 13 from the outsideof the flap 11 and are attached to the inner surface of the attachingstrips 14; The other flap 12 of the V-shaped support overlaps the slits13 and'attached ends of the transfer sheets, thus protecting them frominjury and preventing injury thereby of the record strips. In additionto the protection afforded by the flap 12, the attaching ends of the.transfer sheets are further protected from injury by extending throughthe slits 13 and being attached to the inner surface of the flap 11.

Oneouter transfer sheet may be attached directly to the flap 12 ifdesired as shown in Fig. 1, and one of the slits 13 may be formed at theapex of the carrier as shown. The protective flap 12 also strengthensand reenforces the carrier. Obviously as many transfer sheets may beattached to the carrier 10 as desired.

The carrier 10 is made of sufficient length so as to project slightlybeyond the longitudinal edges of the record strip as shown in Fig. 4,thus forming ears providing lugs or stops l5 lying beyond the edges ofthe assembled record strips and functioning to shift the transfer sheetsfrom one manifoldin'g-position to another along the record strips. The

bend or fold of the carrier sheet provides a tubular or angularreenforcement 16 for the lugs 15 as well as for the carrier generally.

When the transfer sheet carrier is assembled with the superposedtraveler record strips S as shown in Fig. 4, said strips passrespectively through the slots 13 whereby one of the transfer sheets isinterleaved between each two adjacent record strips with its transfersurface positioned against the inscription-receiving area or blank formof the lower strip. Any record or impression then inscribed upon theupper sheet will be transferred to the lower sheet or sheets. Also itwill be obvious that the carrier 10 may be en tirely supported by therecord strips and that the carrier and transfer sheets frictionallyengage with the adjacent record strips whereby said carrier and transfersheets may be carried forwardly and backwardly as the traveler stripsare fed in either direction.

In order to illustrate one only of the many manifolding uses to whichthe supply pad may be put, a cylindrical platen 17 such as used intypewriters and billing machines, etc., is indicated in dot and dashoutline in Fig. 4, and a pair of spaced lugs 18 are also similarlyshown; both platen and lugs may be mounted on a supporting manifoldingmachine as desired. The platen 17 provides a support against which therecord strips may rest while being written uponand against which thestrips may be pressed by means such as provided in various machines ofthe class" mentioned. This pressure imparts a frictional contact betweencarrier and transfer sheets and the adjacent record strips until thecarrier 10 passes entirely beyond the platen when the frictional grip isreleased whereby the carrier and transfer sheets may then be shiftedrelatively to the record strips into .new transfer position. The lugs orstops 18 may cooperate with the lugs'15 of the carrier 10 so as to checkthe forward movement of the transfer sheets while the record strips Scontinue to advance. Inasmuch as the carrier 10 may be adjustedlongitudinally of the record strips, and the strips may also be adallelrelation forming interposed slots or pas justed with reference to thecarrier, said carrier may be termed a rider.

Thus the transfer sheets and record sheets may be relativelylongitudinally shifted to bring fresh sets of recording areas or blankforms on the record strips into record-transferring position. Thetransfer sheets may, however, be shifted independently of the stops 18and the combined record strips and transfer sheets may be utilized inconnection with other forms of writing support than that furnished by acylindrical type of platen. Wherever the carrier or transfer sheetpositioner 10 may be used, its flexible character permits it to passwith the record strips through curved pathways or over cylindricalsurfaces, while the position of the transfer sheets is in no waydisturbed. It will be observed that the rearwardly disposed sides orfaces of the ends of the carrier 10 are rounded or inclined toward thelongitudinal axis of the carrier as indicated at 19 so as to provideclearance surfaces thereby to avoid obstruction with parts of amanifolding machine when the carrier together with the strips are movedrearwardly.

A slightly modified form of the transfer sheet carrier is shown in Fig.5 being indicated generally at 10a and formed of a single ply offlexible material of a similar nature to that already described inconnection with Fig. 1, and also having laterally projecting lugs 15awhich are adapted to perform the same function as the lugs 15 abovereferred to. The carrier 10a may also'be formed with rounded or inclinedrearward end portions forming clearance surfaces 19a when utilized in amanifolding machine as already referred to. A single carbon or transfersheet is attached to the carrier 10a as by an adhesive. This form ofcarrier may be utilized for manifolding where but a single transfer copyis required, or in this form, as well as in the other embodiments of theinvention, both sides of the sheet C may be carbonized, enabling twotransfer copies to be made by each transfer sheet, one of which will bein reverse. The reverse copy may be made on the back side of a recordstrip or sheet of parchment or translucent paper in a manner known inthe art.

A further modified form of the transfer sheet carrier is shown in Figs.6 and 7 being indicated generally by reference 10?) and being offlexible material similar to that used for the carriers above described.Instead of being formed V-shaped as in Fig. 2, the plies 20 arranged insuperposed overlapping parsageways 21 between adjacent plies extendingfrom edge to edge forwardly and rearwardly of the carrier through whichthe record strips may be threaded in a manner similar to the threadingthereof as above described in con neetion with Fig. 4. These plies 20are secured together at their ends as by an adhesive as indicated at 22so as to form a unitary block or support. The ends of the transfersheets C are attached to the plies 20 within the slots or passageways20' as indicated at 23, these attachments thus being thoroughlyprotected by the overlying plies.

The plies in this case also preferably are extended at their ends so asto lie beyond the edges of the record strips thus forming lugs 15?)through which the transfer sheets may be manipulated to shift them fromone position to another. Also the ends of the carrier 106 are preferablycurved or inclined rearwardly to form clearance surfaces 196 as in theother modifications. This form of carrier 10?) is also flexibletransversely of its length so as to conform to curved paths as in theforms already described, adapting it for use in various types ofmanifolding machines. Although the longitudinal axes of the transfersheet carriers or positioners 10, 10a, 106 may be regarded as extendingtransversely of the manifolding device or unit since they are shown asbeing elongated, yet for convenience in description the lengths of thesepositioners or carriers may be regarded as extending in the samedirection as the length of the manifolding device as a whole, includingthe transfer sheets and the positioner to which they are attached; thisapplies also to the laterally projecting lugs of the extension 15, 15a,15b of the different embodiments. Therefore when We say that thepositioners and the stop lugs thereof are flexible transversely of theirlengths we mean that they may be readily bent or flexed transversely oftheir longitudinal dimensions so as to assume different positions toconform to an irregular path such for example as the curved path aroundthe well known form of cylindrical platen used in various types ofwriting machines. It will be noticed that the attachments 22 between theplies 20 are also flexible in nature so as to bend or flex readilytransversely of their lengths, that is transversely of the length of thetransfer sheet positioner or to carrier 10?). In fact the completemanifolding device or unit comprising the positioner 10b and the carbonsheets C together with the attachments for the latter, is flexible innature throughout its extent so as to bend or flex transversely of itslength, thus readily adapting itself to passage along irregular orcurved paths. It will be understood that the disclosure in Figs. 6 and 7as well as in some of the other views, is partially diagrammatic beingexaggerated in thickness or lateral dimension so as to facilitate thedisclosure, the complete 1 manifolding device or unit being thin andflexible whereby it may readily pass with the record strips through ashallow or thin passage-way, for example around a cylindrical platen.

In Figs. 6 and 7, it will be observed that the attachments 22 forattaching the transfer sheets together are positioned transversely ofthe planes of the transfer sheets C and are spaced apart a distancegreater than the width of the active area of each transfer sheet. Thisarrangement provides a plurality of continuous passage-ways positionedrespectively between the adjacent transfer sheets and extendingunobstructed throughout the complete length of the transfer unit asclearly shown in Fig. 7. Both the transfer sheets and the plies 20 areentirely free from each other, within the confines of thesepassage-ways, so as to permit the threading of the record strips Scontinuously beyond opposite ends of the transfer unit in a mannersimilar to that disclosed in Fig. 4.

In this embodiment of the inventionthe plies 20 are preferablyrelatively superposed with each other and the extensions 15?) of theseplies in effect form attachingextensions for the respective transfersheets C positioned beyond the normal active work areas of said transfersheets at opposite lateral edges of the latter. These attachingextensions are relatively superposed with each other and directlycooperate with the attaching device 22 for maintaining the transfersheets of the assembly in place. The attachments between these attachingextensions may be of any preferred character, being preferably disposed,as in the case of the adhesive shown, together in a directiontransversely to the plane thereof. These attachments being positionedbeyond the lateral edges of the active transfer areas it will be seenthat unobstructed passageways between these transfer areas are providedfor the reception of the record strips.

In order to further reinforce the carrier 10 as disclosed in Figs. 1, 2,3 and 4, and to hold the protective flap 12 in close cooperativerelation with the flap 11, it may in some cases be advantageous toprovide means for attaching the protruding ends of the flaps, and suchattaching means will preferably be arranged so that the flaps may besecured together after the carrier has been assembled with record stripsas shown in Fig. 4:. A dry adhesive or gum 15 applied to the inner faceof the laterally protruding end portion of one of the flaps 11 or 12 asshown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, may conveniently be used for this purpose,or the adhesive may be applied to both adjacent faces of the endportions of said flaps. When the carrier has been assembled with therecord strips S, the attachment may be quickly and easily made bymoistening the adhesive and pressing the adjacent faces into adheringcontact with each other. This attachment not only assists in holding theprotective flap 12 in correct coto bind the transfer sheets operativeposition, but it additionally reinforces the carrier and the stop lugs15.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction anddifierent embodiments of the invention could be made without departingfrom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in theabove description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A plurality of relatively superposed traveler record strips and atransfer sheet holder engaging and supported by said record strips so asto be movable forwardly and rearwardly thereby and therewith, saidholder having checking lugs spaced laterally of the record strips andpositioned thereon laterally beyond the record strips when the transfersheet is supported in manifolding relation with the record strips bysaid holder.

2. A transfer sheet support including a sheet member to which thetransfer sheet is attached and having a checking lug with a curvedendsurface adapted to guide the support past a platen.

3. In combination, a transfer sheet support including a sheet memberadapted to carry one or more transfer sheets, a transfer sheet attachedto said support, a protective overlapping ply, V-connected thereto, andadhesive means for securing the end portions only of the protective plyto the support.

4. In combination, a transfer sheet support including a V-shaped sheetmember, and at least one transfer sheet having attachment with the saidsupport and extending therefrom at the apex side thereof, and extendingbeyond the apex.

5. A transfer sheet support including a sheet member to which a transfersheet is attached and having an opening in which one or a plurality ofsuperposed record strips may be received whereby the said support formsa rider movable along said record strips, said support having aprotecting ply overlying the transfer sheet attachment.

6. A transfer sheet support including a sheet member having openings inwhich superposed record strips are respectively received, whereby saidsupport forms a rider movable along said record strips and transfersheets having attachment to said support respectively adjacent saidopenings, said support having a protecting ply overlying one or more ofthe transfer sheet attachments.

7. A transfer sheet support including a sheet member having openings inwhich superposed record strips are respectively received, whereby thesaid support forms a rider movable along said record strips, andtransfer sheet with their ends extending respectively into said openingsand having a protecting ply overlapping the attachments of said ends.

8. A transfer sheet having a checking device thereon, said checkingdevice including checking lugs positioned laterally beyond the oppositeedges of a record strip when the transfer sheet is arranged inmanifolding relation therewith, whereby said lugs may be engaged toshift the transfer sheet relatively to the record strip, said lugs beinglaterally flexible transversely of their lengths so as to conform to acurved surface or to lie flat.

9. A transfer sheet having an elongated transversely flexible supportwith its longitudinal axis extending transversely of the transfer sheet,said support having checking lugs positioned at opposite ends thereofand being flexible transversely of their lengths so as to conform to acurved surface or to lie flat, said lugs positioned laterally beyond theopposite edges of a record strip when the transfer sheet is arranged inmanifolding relation therewith, whereby said lugs may be engaged toshift the transfer sheet relatively to the record strip.

10. A transfer sheet having attached thereto a laterally extendingtransversely flexible support, having a laterally flexible checkingdevice for checking the shifting movement of the transfer sheetrelatively to a record strip with which it is arranged in manifoldingrelation, said flexible support having an opening into which theattaching end of the transfer sheet extends.

11. A transfer sheet having a checking device thereon including aflexible support adapted to check the shifting movement of the transfersheet relatively to a traveler record strip with which it is arranged inmanifolding relation, said flexible support having an opening into whichthe attaching end of the transfer sheet extends and a protective ply forsaid attaching end carried by said flexible support.

12. A transfer sheet support including a sheet member to which atransfer sheet is attached, said support provided with a protective plyfor the transfer sheet attachment, said protective ply extending overthe transfer sheet attachment and being free from said attachment so asto permit free passage of record strips between said attachment and plyand said ply terminating short of the active part of the transfer sheet.

13. A transfer sheet carrier including a plurality of separablesuperposed plies of sheet material, and being flexible transversely ofits length so as to conform to the cylindrical surface of a platen, andtransfer sheets 14. A manifolding device including a plurality ofsuperposed transfer sheets having attachments binding said sheetstogether, said attachments being flexible transversely of the length ofthe manifolding device so as to conform to a curved path and beingpositioned transversely of'the planes of the transfer sheets and spacedapart laterally of said sheets a distance greater than the width oftheir working areas, said sheets being free from attachment with eachother at all points in longitudinal alignment with said working areas,so as to provide longitudinal passageways between the transfer sheetsextending continuously from end to end thereof through which continuousrecord strips may pass.

15. A plurality of relatively superposed traveler record strips and atransfer'sheet holder engaging and supported by said record strips so asto be movable forwardly and rearwardly thereby and therewith,'saidholder being elongated and having its longitudinal axis extendingtransversely of said record strips and having checking lugs at oppositeends thereof positioned beyond the edges of the record strips when theholder is in operative position, said lugs being flexible transverselyof their lengths so as to conform to a curved surface or to lie flat.

16. In combination, a plurality of superposed traveler record strips, atransfer sheet support including a sheet member having openings intowhich said superposed record strips may be respectively received,whereby the said support formsa rider movable along said record strips,said transfer sheet support being independently supported by the recordstrips, and transfer sheets having their ends extending respectivelyinto said openings and being attached to said support beyond the mouthof said openings.

17. A manifolding device including a plurality of superposed transfersheets each having adjacent each lateral edge thereof an attachingextension projecting laterally beyond the normal active work area of thetransfer sheet, said respective corresponding attaching extensions beingrelatively superposed and having attachment with each other at pointspositioned laterally beyond said normal active Work areas, saidmanifolding device together with said attachment belng flexibletransversely of their lengths so as to bend back and forth to passthrough an irregular path.

18. A manifolding device including a plurality of superposed transfersheets, each of said sheets having attached at one end thereof aflexible sheet supporting member, said supporting members beingrelatively superposed and extending to points laterally beyond thenormal active work areas of the transfer sheets and having attachmentwith each other at points positioned laterally beyond said work areas,said manifolding device together with said attachment being flexibletransversely of their lengths so as to bend back and forth to passthrough an irregular path.

19. A manifolding device including a plu ra lity of superposed transfersheets, each of said sheets having attached at one end thereof aflexible sheet supporting member, said supporting members beingrelatively superposedand extending to points laterally beyond the normalactive work areas of the transfer sheets, and having attachment witheach other at points positioned laterally beyond said manifolding deviceand said attachment beingthin and flexible transversely of their lengthsso as to bend to adapt them to pass over a curved platen, said workareas. said sheet supporting members being free from attachment fromeach other at points thereof in longitudinal alignment with said normalactive work areas so as to provide unobstructed passageways for recordstrips between said supporting members.

20. A manifolding device including a plurality of'relatively superposedflexible transfer sheet supporting members to one of which a transfersheet is attached, said supporting members extending to points laterallybeyond the normal active work area of the transfer sheet and havingattachment with each other at points positioned laterally beyond saidwork area, said manifolding device together with said attachment beingflexible transversely of their lengths so as to bend back and forth topass through an ir regular path.

21. A device for manifolding inscription and including, in combination,a plurality of relatively superposed, connected plies of thin, flexible,sheet material, at least one of said plies being a transfer ply, saidplies having shoulders in superposed relation to each other andpositioned laterally beyond the normal work area of said transfer ply.

22. A manifolding device including a plurality of relatively superposedplies of flex ible sheet material at least one of which is a transferply, each of said plies having adjacent each lateral edge thereof anattaching extension projecting laterally beyond the normal work area ofsaid transfer ply, said respective corresponding attaching extenslonsbeing relatively superposed and having attachment with each other atpoints positioned laterally beyond said normal work area, saidmanifolding device and said attachment being flexible so as to bend backand forth to conform to an irregular path,

said attached extensions being formed to provide checking memberspositioned laterally beyond said normal work area.

In testimony whereof I afix my signature.

J. STUART FLEMING.

